The Barbarian's Mistress by Nhys Glover Read Free Book Online Page A

road as we go.’ He ate the last mouthful of bread and washed it down with more wine.
    ‘Have you been there before?’ she asked tentatively, as she nibbled on her bread.
    ‘No. I had to get directions in the Forum today. I assume you’ve never been there either?’
    ‘No. We always holidayed at Ostia because it was so close to Rome. My parents didn’t like to travel. It was one thing they both agreed on.’
    ‘Well, we’re in for an adventure then. No Inns for us . Sleeping under the stars, eating food cooked over an open fire. I haven’t done that since I was captured.’ His voice held a faraway note, as if he was remembering happier times.
    ‘Is it safe?’
    ‘I assume there are bandits on the roads, particularly in the more remote areas. But I’ve got weapons, and most criminals would think twice about taking on someone like me. And it’s not as if we will look like travellers with money. The carrus is only just roadworthy, and the horses are less than ordinary. I may be a bit optimistic in my estimated time for the journey, given our vehicle, but we’ll get there in one piece, I assure you.’ He grinned at her, his ravaged face suddenly youthful once more.
    ‘I know you will. Father wouldn’t have trusted me to you, otherwise.’ She smiled back at him, and his expression changed suddenly. Gone was the playful boy. What replaced it was a bemused adult.
    ‘When did you grow up?’ he said so softly he might have only meant it for his own ears. For the first time, she felt uncomfortable under his gaze, which seemed to see far more than she wanted.
    She shrugged and turned away, fiddling with the leather carry-all she’d added to the pile. Trying to divert his attention, she pulled out the little piece of amber she’d slid in behind the frame of her father’s portrait.
    ‘Do you remember this?’ she asked, holding it out to him on her palm.
    His eyes dropped to her hand and he gave a little chuckle. ‘You kept it? What for? It was worthless compared to the jewellery your family gave you.’
    She shrugged again, embarrassed. It seemed a childish thing to do now, keeping the tiny stone as if it was important.  Should she throw it away? Before she could decide, Vali’s big hand closed her fingers around the amber.
    ‘I’m honoured you kept it. Put it away safely now. It’s time to go. Do you need to,’ His face flushed red as he released her, ‘relieve yourself before we go?’
    Mortified by this personal inquiry, Anniana dropped her gaze and shrugged. Then she made much of returning the amber to its place in the bag.
    ‘I’ll show you. It’s primitive, compared to what you’re used to. But luxurious compared to what you’ll have to put up with on the road. I’m sorry about that. Will women’s courses be a problem in the next week?’
    Anniana wondered if it was possible to feel any more embarrassed. Now he discussed her flow? It was not the subject of conversation between a man and a woman, especially a slave and his mistress. But then, he wasn’t a slave anymore, and she was not his mistress. And they would be sharing very close quarters over the next week.
    She rose slowly to her feet, keeping her head down as she shook it. Her face burned.
    ‘Good. One less problem then. Follow me.’ His voice was brusque and impatient as he turned away from her and headed for the door.
     
    The lyre wove its melancholy notes through the hot midday air. Ninia had been playing for hours now, just as her mistress was want to do. She was not as good as Anni by any stretch of the imagination, but she didn’t expect that Salvia would be able to tell the difference.
    Where was Anni now? Who was taking care of her? She was weighed down by fear and loneliness. Her parents tried to help, but her bond to Anni was so much greater than her bond to them. Anni was the sister she’d never had, the love she’d never been able to claim.
    When her fingers slowed to a standstill as her mind pictured her beautiful